While he did not specify it in his speech, on his way out of the venue Paul said he did not oppose offering illegal immigrants the option of earning citizenship after a probationary period. That proposal is similar to a plan being developed by a bipartisan group of eight senators, of which Paul is not a member.

You have an option to get in the line, and you get a work visa if you want to work, Paul said when asked if he supports a path to citizenship.

Paul rejected the idea of deporting undocumented immigrants or immediately giving them citizenship. Instead, he argued for a probationary status.

The solution doesnt have to be amnesty or deportation  a middle ground might be called probation where those who came illegally become legal through a probationary period, Paul said.